Whenever we discuss this issue we often get accused of perpetuating the Breast V Bottle debate.
To be clear - we believe that not only should every woman make the best choice for their own personal situation, but every woman should support each other's choices without judgement.
I am a mum who breastfed her first, bottle fed her second, and combination-fed my third. So I do feel like I have a well-rounded and balanced view on the matter.
My experience with feeding was mixed. I found it tough at first, enjoyed it (mostly) and I did feel judged. Among my bottle-feeding (formula led) friends, I felt isolated, and a little different. When I was meeting my pals who breastfed, I felt l wasn't doing it as well as they were.
Now, you may say that it is an internal insecurity and no one MADE me feel like that but, hello....motherhood. The minute we get that cute little bundle into our trembling arms it begins - joy, love and overwhelming self-doubt.
It is important to remember that often women are determined to breastfeed but complications mean that they have to abandon the idea and switch to formula. Equally, someone who is very secure in their bottle feeding (formula) decision can also be a little 'mean girl' when it comes to those who decide to breastfeed.
The truth is that those early days are not a breeze and it does take a while to get used to the whole idea that you grew a human and it is HUNGRY!
That's why when we covered the story earlier in the week about a mum who felt so guilty for formula feeding that she felt she had to hide the baby food we felt we had to talk about this. And our comments page exploded.
Here are our readers take on the guilt we shouldn't be feeling when it comes to feeding:
"No one should have to hide away feeding their baby. Ever. Breast or bottle fed" Lynette Nettie Kenny
"Being a dude I'm all for breastfeeding. All kidding aside I thought the main benefit of breastfeeding was to pass on antibodies to the babies immune system. Other than that I believe there shouldn't be a stigma for not breastfeeding. 2 of my 3 kids were not breastfed n they turned out just fine. Just a male perspective " Dee Cee
"Here is no right or wrong thing here, you do what you feel best for you and your baby. I bottle fed and have a very healthy happy birthday 10year old it gave us a routine plus I knew he was getting the right amount nutrition and wasn't always hungry, the best thing was my husband did the feeds and was involved from day dot " Katie Birkett
"Such a shame a woman is made to feel this way. Breast or bottle as long as babies are fed, healthy and developing fine then it doesn't matter! Lauren Mussen
"I felt so much pressure into breastfeeding when I was pregnant by various midwives. The doctor stitching me up minutes after giving birth asked me in a really arsey way why I wasn't breastfeeding and the midwife came to my defence and said because she doesn't want to. My baby was bottle fed and that was my decision, she's happy and healthy and now on whole milk. Fed is best! xx " Adele Jones
"This makes me so mad, so sick of the breast is best brigade!! I felt so guilty because I couldn't breastfeed, but my son just wasn't interested! He's a healthy 7-year-old now. Every mum should be able to feed her baby however she wants." Melanie Howorth
"I breastfed both mine and my sister felt same as she couldn't get on with breastfeeding. I told her there is nothing to be ashamed about.
I found it easy but others don't for loads of reasons. As long as baby is fed it doesn't matter how. Shame women feel ashamed either way as all we are doing is feeding our babies " Kelly Booth
Motherhood is filled with moments of self-doubt and guilt. You always feel you can be doing better. You have just been handed the biggest responsibility of your life and there should be no place for judgement. Here at MummyPages, we are BIG believers in the sisterhood of motherhood and no matter your own personal views about how things are done- the bottom line is that healthcare providers are there to monitor and advise mums on their options - other mums are there to support, encourage and listen.
It is time to stop making others feel bad and instead pull together to ensure we build each other up. What do you think mums?
